Flights of fantasy and contemplations of a curious woman

I’m Late…Again

Being late has been a way of life for too many years. I’m never REALLY late…only a LITTLE late. 5 – 15 minutes. Consistently!

I am a list person. Have been for years. I need to write things down so that I remember them. I may forget the list (or my phone that holds all lists) but I will generally remember most things that I write on a list.

Lists are wonderful for helping you to feel that you are making progress on a project.

It is so satisfying to √ things off or line a task. I want to look at my lists and see evidence of the day’s progress. (I only delete items on the grocery list. In the grocery store I just have to look at the cart to know that I’ve bought way more than was on the list.)

So the list is actually part of my problem. I am that person who always has to do one more thing – tick off one more task. And that one thing invariably gets out of control. It is usually a task that appears to be quick and easy. Empty the dishwasher. Put in a load of laundry. Send J. Doe an email.

But while I’m emptying the dishwasher, I realize that the wine glasses could be arranged to give me more space for new water glasses. Oh, those napkins should be on the lower shelf…after I iron them.

The load of laundry sends me to check for dirty towels in the bathroom. Before I throw this one in the wash, I can use it to wipe down the water marks on the mirror and vanity. Put the slippers back in the closet. I MUST finish sorting clothes for Goodwill…

There is no such thing as one email.

None of those other things even made it to the list for that day! But they sure slow me down, and then I’m late. Again.

I’ve thought about hanging white bunny ears by the door to remind myself not to do anything else once it is time to leave, but I’m off doing one more thing before I even get to the door.

A late solution?

Do I give in and accept that I will be late for everything? 5 – 15 minutes is not the end of the world. But it is rude for those who are waiting for me. And it is stressful. One of these days I will get stopped for speeding to an appointment.

So I am trying to make my list cover a longer time frame. No more one day lists. If my lists cover several days or even a week, maybe I will to be able to walk out the door in a timely fashion. Then again, maybe I should add an item to the list.